Blood lead levels in pregnant women of high and low socioeconomic status in Mexico City.

This study examined the determinants of blood lead (BPb) in 513 pregnant women in Mexico City: 311 from public hospital prenatal clinics, representing primarily women of low socioeconomic status (SES), and 202 from private hospitals, primarily women of high SES. Overall, BPb levels ranged from 1.38 to 29 micrograms/dl, with geometric means of 6.7 and 11.12 micrograms/dl for women from private and public hospitals, respectively. The crude geometric means difference obtained by t-test was 4.42 (p < 0.001). BPb was measured from January 1994 to August 1995 and showed higher levels during fall and winter and lower levels during spring and summer. The main BPb determinants were the use of lead-glazed ceramics in women from public hospitals and season of the year in women from private hospitals. Consumption of tortillas (corn bread rich in calcium) decreased BPb levels in the lower SES group, but the relationship was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Consumption of milk products significantly (p < 0.05) reduced BPb levels in the higher SES group. In 112 women whose diets were deficient in calcium, taking calcium supplements lowered their blood lead levels about 7 micrograms/dl. A predictive model fitted to these data, using the strongest predictors plus gestational age, showed a difference of 14 micrograms/dl between the best and worst scenarios in women from public hospitals. Avoiding use of lead-glazed ceramics, consuming diets rich in calcium, and, if needed, taking calcium supplements, would be expected to result in substantial lowering of BPb, especially in pregnant women of low socioeconomic status

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Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor originating from neuroendocrine cells located in the adrenal medulla. 85% is located in the adrenal medulla and the rest in the extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue (paraganglioma). It is one of the most frequent causes of secondary arterial hypertension. It is found in 0.1 to 1% of hypertensive patients of any age, with a peak from puberty to 40 years of age. In 85% of cases, they are single tumors without a family pattern. However, they can be multiple and familiar. The most frequent location is in the abdomen (95%). PRESENTATION OF THE CASE. A 51-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and a former smoker. Medicated with Losartan 50mg, Carvedilol 12.5mg and Terazocine 5mg. Patient who consulted due to intense holocranial headache of 8 months of evolution associated with palpitations. On physical examination: BMI: 29.49 kg/m2, blood pressure 260/120 mmHg, HR 77 bpm, hyperphonetic heart sounds, no murmurs, good distal perfusion. The Electrocardiogram was normal. The laboratory evidenced: Plasma adrenaline: 14 pgr/ml (NV: 0-100 pgr/ml), plasma noradrenaline 410 pgr/ml (NV: 70-700 pgr/ml), plasma dopamine 121 pgr/ml (NV: 0-50 pgr/ml), urinary metanephrines: 33 µgr/24 h (NV: 44-261 µgr/24 hours), urinary normetanephrine 572 µgr/24 h (103-521 µgr/24 hours), vanillin mandelic acid 8.8 mgr/24 h (NV: 2.3-5.1 mgr/24 hours), urinary epinephrine 5.1 µgr/24 h (NV: 0.9-20 µgr/24 hours), urinary norepinephrine 162.2 µgr/24 h (NV: 15-80 µgr/24 hours) and urinary dopamine 238 µg/24 h (NV: 65-400 µg/24 hours). Interpreting itself as a producer of norepinephrine. Abdominal tomography with contrast showed a nodular image in the right adrenal gland of 49 x 49 x 33 mm, compatible with pheochromocytoma. Surgical treatment was performed whose biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Subsequently, the doses of antihypertensive drugs were decreased. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma requires a high clinical suspicion, catecholamine dosage and abdominal tomography. Surgical removal is essential, as it is one of the few forms of potentially curable hypertension (0.2%).El feocromocitoma es un tumor productor de catecolaminas originado en las células neuroendocrinas ubicadas en la medula suprarrenal. El 85% se localiza en la medula adrenal y el resto en el tejido cromafín extra adrenal (Paraganglioma). Es una de las causas más frecuente de hipertensión arterial secundaria. Se halla en el 0,1 a 1% de los hipertensos de cualquier edad, con un pico desde la pubertad hasta los 40 años. En el 85% de los casos son tumores únicos sin un patrón familiar. Sin embargo, pueden ser múltiples y familiares. La localización más frecuente es en abdomen (95%). PRESENTACION DEL CASO. Paciente masculino de 51 años, con antecedentes de HTA, hiperplasia benigna de próstata y ex tabaquista. Medicado con Losartan 50 mg, Carvedilol 12,5 mg y terazocina 5mg. Paciente que consultó por cefalea holocreaneana intensa de 8 meses de evolución asociada a palpitaciones. Al examen físico:&nbsp; IMC: 29,49 kg/m2, tensión arterial 260/120 mmHg, FC 77 lpm, ruidos cardíacos hiperfonéticos, sin soplos, buena perfusión distal. El Electrocardiograma fue normal. El laboratorio evidenció: Adrenalina plasmática: 14 pgr/ml (VN: 0-100 pgr/ml), noradrenalina plasmática 410 pgr/ml (VN: 70-700 pgr/ml), dopamina plasmática 121 pgr/ml (VN: 0-50 pgr/ml), metanefrinas urinarias: 33 µgr/24 hs (VN: 44-261 µgr/24 hs), normetanefrina urinaria 572 µgr/24 hs (103-521 µgr/24 hs), ácido vainillin mandélico 8.8 mgr/24 hs (VN: 2.3-5.1 mgr/24 hs), adrenalina urinaria 5.1 µgr/24 hs (VN: 0.9-20 µgr/24 hs), noradrenalina urinaria 162.2 µgr/24 hs (VN: 15-80 µgr/24 hs) y dopamina urinaria 238 µgr/24 hs (VN: 65-400 µgr/24 hs) . Interpretándose como productor de noradrenalina. La Tomografía de abdomen con contraste evidencio una imagen nodular en la glándula suprarrenal derecha de 49 x 49 x 33 mm, compatible con feocromocitoma. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico cuya biopsia confirmo el diagnóstico. Posteriormente, se disminuyeron las dosis de las drogas antihipertensivas. El diagnóstico del feocromocitoma requiere una alta sospecha clínica, el dosaje de catecolaminas y la tomografía de abdomen. La extirpación quirúrgica es fundamental, ya que constituye una de las pocas formas de hipertensión arterial potencialmente curables (0.2 %).

Primer aislamiento y caracterización de la cepa prototipo del virus SARS-CoV-2 a inicios de la pandemia de la COVID-19 en el Perú

Introduction: Currently, infections by the SARS-CoV-2 virus exceed 600 million cases in the world. Objective: Isolation and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic in Peru. Materials and methods: Twenty nasal and pharyngeal swab samples were isolated SARS-CoV-2 using two cell lines, Vero ATCC CCL-81 and Vero E-6; virus identification was performed by RT-PCR and the onset of cytopathic effect (CPE) was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence and subsequent identification by genomic sequencing. One of the most widely circulating isolates was selected and named the prototype strain (PE/B.1.1/28549/2020). Then 10 successive passages were performed in Vero ATCC CCL-81 cells to assess mutation dynamics. Results: Results detected 11 virus isolates by cytopathic effect, and subsequently confirmed by RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence. Of these, six were sequenced and identified as the lineages B.1, B.1.1, B.1.1.1, and B.1.205 according to the Pango lineage nomenclature. The prototype strain corresponded to lineage B.1.1. The analysis of the strains from the successive passages showed mutations mainly at in the spike (S) protein of the virus without variation in the identity of the lineage. Conclusions: Four lineages were isolated in the Vero ATCC CCL-81 cell line. Subcultures in the same cell line show mutations in the spike protein indicating greater adaptability to the host cell and variation in pathogenicity in vitro, a behavior that allows it to have more survival success.Introducción: Actualmente los contagios por el virus del SARS-CoV-2 supera los 600 millones de casos en el mundo. Objetivo: Aislar y caracterizar el virus SARS-CoV-2 causante de la COVID-19 a inicios de la pandemia en el Perú. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó el aislamiento viral a partir de 20 muestras de hisopado nasal y faríngeo positivas a SARS-CoV-2 por RT-PCR. El aislamiento se realizó en las líneas celulares Vero ATCC CCL-81 y Vero E6, evaluando el efecto citopático, la presencia del virus por RT-PCR, inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) y posterior identificación por secuenciación genómica. Posteriormente, uno de los aislamientos de mayor circulación fue seleccionado y denominado cepa prototipo (PE/B.1.1/28549/2020), realizándose 10 pasajes sucesivos en células Vero ATCC CCL-81 para evaluar la dinámica de mutaciones. Resultados: Se observaron 11 aislamientos de virus por efecto citopático confirmándose por RT-PCR e IFI, de los cuales 6 fueron secuenciados identificándose los linajes B.1, B.1.1, B.1.1.1 y B.1.205, según el comité Pango de los genomas. La cepa prototipo corresponde a la variante B.1.1 y el análisis de las secuencias de los pasajes sucesivos mostró mutaciones a nivel de la proteína de la espiga (S) del virus, sin variación en la identidad del linaje. Conclusiones: Se aislaron 4 linajes en la línea celular Vero ATCC CCL-81. Los subcultivos en la misma línea celular muestran mutaciones en la proteína de la espiga, lo que indica mayor adaptabilidad a la célula hospedera y variación de la patogenicidad in vitro, comportamiento que le permite tener más éxito de supervivencia

Neonatal infrared thermography images in the hypothermic ruminant model: Anatomical-morphological-physiological aspects and mechanisms for thermoregulation

Hypothermia is one factor associated with mortality in newborn ruminants due to the drastic temperature change upon exposure to the extrauterine environment in the first hours after birth. Ruminants are precocial whose mechanisms for generating heat or preventing heat loss involve genetic characteristics, the degree of neurodevelopment at birth and environmental aspects. These elements combine to form a more efficient mechanism than those found in altricial species. Although the degree of neurodevelopment is an important advantage for these species, their greater mobility helps them to search for the udder and consume colostrum after birth. However, anatomical differences such as the distribution of adipose tissue or the presence of type II muscle fibers could lead to the understanding that these species use their energy resources more efficiently for heat production. The introduction of unconventional ruminant species, such as the water buffalo, has led to rethinking other characteristics like the skin thickness or the coat type that could intervene in the thermoregulation capacity of the newborn. Implementing tools to analyze species-specific characteristics that help prevent a critical decline in temperature is deemed a fundamental strategy for avoiding the adverse effects of a compromised thermoregulatory function. Although thermography is a non-invasive method to assess superficial temperature in several non-human animal species, in newborn ruminants there is limited information about its application, making it necessary to discuss the usefulness of this tool. This review aims to analyze the effects of hypothermia in newborn ruminants, their thermoregulation mechanisms that compensate for this condition, and the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to identify cases with hypothermia

Pectinmethyesterases Modulate Plant Homogalacturonan Status in Defenses Against the Aphid Myzus persicae.

Because they suck phloem sap and act as vectors for phytopathogenic viruses, aphids pose a threat to crop yields worldwide. Pectic homogalacturonan (HG) has been described as a defensive element for plants during infections with phytopathogens. However, its role during aphid infestation remains unexplored. Using immunofluorescence assays and biochemical approaches, the HG methylesterification status and associated modifying enzymes during the early stage of Arabidopsis thaliana infestation with the green peach aphid Myzus persicae were analyzed. Additionally, the influence of PME activity on aphid settling and feeding behavior was evaluated by free choice assays and the Electrical Penetration Graph technique, respectively. Our results revealed that HG status and HG-modifying enzymes are significantly altered during the early stage of the plant-aphid interaction. Aphid infestation induced a significant increase in total PME activity and methanol emissions, concomitant with a decrease in the degree of HG methylesterification. Conversely, inhibition of PME activity led to a significant decrease in the settling and feeding preference of aphids. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the PME inhibitor AtPMEI13 has a defensive role during aphid infestation, since pmei13 mutants are significantly more susceptible to M. persicae in terms of settling preference, phloem access, and phloem sap drainage

A solution scan of societal options to reduce transmission and spread of respiratory viruses: SARS-CoV-2 as a case study

Societal biosecurity – measures built into everyday society to minimize risks from pests and diseases – is an important aspect of managing epidemics and pandemics. We aimed to identify societal options for reducing the transmission and spread of respiratory viruses. We used SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) as a case study to meet the immediate need to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually transition to more normal societal conditions, and to catalog options for managing similar pandemics in the future. We used a ‘solution scanning’ approach. We read the literature; consulted psychology, public health, medical, and solution scanning experts; crowd-sourced options using social media; and collated comments on a preprint. Here, we present a list of 519 possible measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission and spread. We provide a long list of options for policymakers and businesses to consider when designing biosecurity plans to combat SARS-CoV-2 and similar pathogens in the future. We also developed an online application to help with this process. We encourage testing of actions, documentation of outcomes, revisions to the current list, and the addition of further options.</p